Note: Ableton Live 10 is 64-bit only and not supported by Linux based OS.

As you can see from the system requirements, Ableton recommends Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB RAM to run the software.

However even if you get a laptop with the recommended system requirements, the problem starts when you install a slew of aftermarket plugins that have even higher system requirements than Ableton Live itself.

This means you’ll need a powerful laptop system to get you started with Ableton Live 10.

Now to give you an understanding of what a robust system should be, I’ve listed a few pointers below for better judgment.

Processor

Processor is the most critical component to consider when choosing the best laptop for Ableton.

As Ableton is known to be a CPU intensive program, hence when it’s running along with its plugins kicked in, this will drain your laptop’s battery far quicker than expected.

Therefore you’ll need a processor that’s not only powerful but power-efficient as well.

For this point, I’m only considering Intel i7 CPUs and AMD Ryzen 7 CPUs because they are top of the line processors from respective brands.

An important thing to consider here is, if you need a power efficient processor, look for a processor in the laptop configuration ending with ‘U.’

For instance, Intel Core i7-8550U and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U are examples of power efficient CPUs that consume between 12-25W of power.

RAM

Ableton recommends 8GB of RAM; however, in this list of laptops for Ableton Live 10, I’ve considered a mixture of laptops with 12GB and 16GB DDR4 of RAM, which you can choose according to your budget.

Or you can later upgrade your laptop with additional RAM modules as required.

For Ableton Live, the higher amount of RAM you have, the better.

Hard Disk

SSDs are a must; if you want to a smooth experience while using Ableton on your laptop.

Generally, SSDs are costly than a traditional 7200RPM HDD.

For instance, a 1TB HDD costs around $45, whereas a 1TB SSD costs around $180.

However, if you take into account the performance factor, SSD will not only speed up Ableton, but it will also speed up other factors like booting time, opening applications, processing audio/video and other productive options.

Most laptops either come with a standalone SSD/HDD or a combination of SSD + HDD.

Hence just like RAM, you can later upgrade your HDD to an SSD for overall fast performance at any given time.

Note: SSDs are available in two connection slots, a traditional 2.5-inch slot, and a newer M.2 slot. All laptops will support connection for a 2.5-inch slot, whereas, for an M.2 slot, it will be specifically mentioned.

Graphic Card

Graphic Card is not an essential factor when it comes to buying the best laptop for Ableton Live 10, however considering the configuration of laptops I’ve chosen for you, you do get a dedicated or integrated graphic card in your system.

Moreover, you aren’t only going to use your new laptop for Ableton; hence other applications in your system can make use of the graphic card, e.g., Internet Browsers, Photo Editors, Video Making software and more.

Screen Size

When it comes to laptop, you have the freedom to choose laptops in variable screen sizes.

However, from my experience of using Ableton and other music production software, I prefer larger laptop screen, because of multiple functions and toggles displayed on a single screen that can be hard to look at on smaller screens.

Should you buy Mac or Windows Laptop?

Ableton Live 10 is available for both Windows and Mac OS at the same price.

You will also get impressed with the Full HD IPS Touch Screen Display that offers a wide viewing angle and excellent color gamut that will help you differentiate between different shades of similar colors while using Ableton.

At last, we come to the battery life, the previous generation LG Gram offered close to 10 hours of battery life, while the 2018 model provides a whopping 16 hours of battery life.

So basically, your laptop won’t give up on you during your critical music-making sessions.

However, to get all this tech, you have to shell out close to $1.8K for the Core i7-8550U, 16GB model.

What you’ll like about LG Gram?

Excellent screen with touchscreen panel

Extremely lightweight with big screen size

1TB SSD of internal storage

Mammoth battery life close to 16 hours

What you may not like about LG Gram?

Currently priced around $1.8K

4K display would have been appreciated; however that would negatively affect battery life

Additionally, even with a 17.3-inch screen, the laptop weighs only around 4.6 lbs, making it effortless to carry around. Though make sure to get yourself a backpack that will fit the laptop, as it will not fit in your regular backpack.

Furthermore, Asus claims that the laptop will charge up to 60% under 49 minutes and offers battery life of close to 8 hours on full charge.

MSI is a reputed brand that currently puts out excellent Gaming Laptops and Components.

Just like the HP Omen 17T; the MSI GS65 features an Intel Core i7-8750H CPU.

However, this one is coupled with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage and Nvidia GTX 1060 Graphics Processor.

Unlike the previously mentioned HP Omen 17T, the MSI GS65 only weighs around 4 lbs, making it way more comfortable to carry around.

The screen on MSI GS65 has small bezels; this means you get a larger screen within a smaller laptop footprint.

Screen size is 15.6-inch, along with it; the brand also offers a 144Hz refresh rate panel and 7ms response time, which technically may not be an important factor when considering the best laptop for Ableton.

What sets apart the MSI GS65 from its competition is its extreme cooling capabilities.

The GS65 features 3 fans and 4 heat pipes configuration for proper elimination of heat from the laptop, which the brand calls as Cooler Boost Trinity technology.

As you’ve seen by now, gaming laptops offer excellent performance, and some of them come even at a budget price point.

However, if your need is a laptop that offers the configuration and performance of a gaming laptop but minus the aggressive styling and an office-friendly design, then you ought to take a look at the Dell XPS 9570.

Priced just over $1.5K, let me first say that the laptop is bit overpriced compared to its competition, yet looking at the style aspect and decency in design this laptop offers; you wouldn’t mind spending that much.

Weighing at 4.41 pounds, the Dell XPS 9570 is lighter compared to identically configured laptops that offer similar performance.

Within the small frame of 14”; Dell has included a 15.6” screen that has Full HD resolution and matte finish screen. This is possible due to the extremely thin bezels on all 3 sides. Due to the thin bezels, the webcam is placed at the bottom bezel; just under the Dell logo.

Along with that, you get a modest brightness of 400 nits. Most laptops with similar specification come only with 300 nits brightness at max.

The Dell XPS 9570 chassis is built entirely out of aluminum, which helps to keep its weight low and offer substantial rigidity.

Once you open the laptop; you are greeted with MacBook Pro like keyboard layout; however, the left and right side of the keyboard does not feature stereo speakers.

Inside the laptop, you get a powerful Intel Core i7-8750H CPU that is mated with Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Graphics Card, which is a 4GB DDR5 Max-Q Edition graphics that offers optimum performance yet keeping the temperatures low.

The model I mentioned here comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage that is more than enough to install Ableton, start working on it and save your projects too.

Razer is a favorite brand and is known for making excellent gaming products; ranging from keyboards, headphones, laptops and all the way up to Gaming Mobile phones too.

The Blade laptop series by Razer became a hit as soon as it launched and the brand has launched multiple product range with various configuration and screen sizes.

Launched in October 2018; the Razer Blade 15 series is as newer as its gets with updated specifications and modern design.

Other than that, the Razer Blade 15 is currently the smallest 15.6” laptop that has a length of only 13.98” and side thickness of just 0.78”.

Built entirely out of aluminum; this laptop probably has the best-built quality of all the laptops mentioned in this list other than the MacBook Pro.

The full blacked out color scheme gives it a stealth look and makes it look miles better than black plastic body laptops we’re used to seeing.

Its lid features the Razer’s snake logo, which may look backlit in pictures but is just laser etching. Once you open the lid; you are greeted with a ten-keyless keyboard that is backlit and offers single key RGB customization of up to 16.8 million colors. Stereo speakers are present on either side of the keyboard and a large MacBook Pro-like touchpad on the bottom.

Featuring a 15.6” Full HD screen with very thin bezels of 4.9mm gives the laptop an extremely premium look and offers immersive viewing experience.

Inside the laptop; it comes with an Intel Core i7-8750H CPU, which is a 2.2GHz processor; that can Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz during load.

Other than that, you get a mighty Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q GPU that is not only able to handle Ableton software but any game you throw at it after your intensive music-making sessions.

Other features include a 128GB, along with 1TB Hard Disk, which I advice to swap immediately after buying because it will cause a bottleneck.

The provided 65Whr battery offers around 5-6 hours of battery life on a full charge, and a lot more if you switch off the RGB keyboard backlighting.

What you’ll like about Razer Blade 15?

Excellent Build Quality: Built Entirely out of Aluminum

Single Key RGB customization

Large Touchpad

What you won’t like about Razer Blade 15?

5400RPM 1TB hard disk provided with the laptop. Recommended to swap with an SSD

Let me be very honest, all the above laptops I’ve suggested are almost over $1000.

However, not everyone has that kind of money to spend, especially beginners or people who want to get started with music production and DAW softwares like Ableton.

The Lenovo Ideapad 320 is my suggestion to those people.

It features an Intel Core i7-8550U CPU along with 12GB DDR4 RAM and an internal DVD drive as well.

However, for a lower price, there are a couple of downsides to this laptop.

The first one is; it comes with a slower 1TB 5400RPM HDD, which you immediately need to swap with a faster and more efficient SSD that will cost you $100 extra.

The second one is, it comes with a 1366×768 resolution screen, which isn’t a significant problem, but since all the other laptops in this list feature a minimum of Full HD screen, I felt it to be a downside.

For the price, you get an overall plastic build laptop that weighs around 5 pounds.

Additional features include USB Type-C, 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, Bluetooth 4.1 and 2 cell battery that offers battery life of 4-5 hours on full charge.

What you will like about Lenovo Ideapad 320?

Excellent processor and RAM at low price

What you may not like about Lenovo Ideapad 320?

Slower Hard Disk that needs to immediately replaced with an SSD to use it with Ableton Live 10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest version of Ableton Live?

The latest version is called Ableton Live 10

Should I choose a laptop with Intel or AMD Processor?

Processor from any brand will do; however it is highly recommended to get either an Intel i7 processor (7th generation and higher) or AMD Ryzen 7 2700U CPU and higher processor for a smooth experience.

How many computers can I install Ableton on?

Ableton comes with a single user license, and the single user can use the same license on two of his computers. For more information about licensing and registration, click here.

Does Ableton work on Windows 10?

Yes, Ableton will work on Windows 10, along with Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7 (64 bit)

How to get Ableton for Free?

Ableton is paid software; however, by clicking this link, you can download Ableton Trial software for 30 days for free.

What is the price of Ableton Live 10?

Ableton Live 10 is available in 3 different packages: Intro, Standard, and Suite, and have MSRP of $99, $499 and $749 respectively.

However, offers are available from time to time that helps you to own the software at a lower price.

Before buying, you can even contact their support and ask for up to 25% discount for the package you’re interested in. Students and Teachers, on the other hand, can avail 40% discount for Standard and Suite Packages.

Access to an internet connection for authorizing Live (for downloading additional content and updating Live, a fast internet connection is recommended)

Approximately 3 GB disk space on the system drive for the basic installation (8 GB free disk space recommended)

Up to 76 GB disk space for additionally available sound content

Conclusion

I’ve tried and listed all the possible points that I can think of to help you make a better purchase decision.

I will keep updating this post frequently as new information becomes available or new and better laptops get launched that will be best for Ableton Live 10.

All the laptops I’ve listed here are the best choices for Ableton Live, hence don’t fret over if you buy any of the laptops listed above blindly.

Though, in some laptops, you’ll have to upgrade the storage from HDD to SSD to get a smooth experience while using Ableton.

If you’re confused between choosing Windows or Mac-based laptop, then go with an OS that you’ll be comfortable to use with because your primary goal is to get started with Ableton as quickly as possible instead of tinkering with a new OS that you might have no idea about.

If there’s any additional help that you need from me, please leave a comment on this article, and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.